2023 Design Awards Judges

It is our foundation to celebrate the optimism of design, and its ability to positively impact our communities and our planet. Now in its 18th year, the Shaw Contract Design Awards program is our chance to look through the Design Optimist lens at spaces that inspire new ways of working, learning, healing, and thriving. 

Stay tuned for when winners will be announced in September!

Meet the Judges from the Best of India Panel

These judges will be looking through the Design Optimist lens at spaces that represent the best of design from their region, along with those that consider our four People Together Planet Forever ambitions - Material Health, Circular Economy, Carbon Impact and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.

 

AJAY TONPE

Partner, Beyond Design Architects & Consultants
Mumbai

As the founding partner of Beyond Design, Ajay has been at the forefront of the architecture industry, leading the team in the development of cutting-edge designs that integrate the latest technologies and sustainability practices.

With a total of 24 years of experience and having completed 15 million SFT of projects, Ajay has built a reputation for delivering innovative and practical solutions that meet clients' needs while pushing design boundaries.

As an architecture professional, Ajay is committed to use his expertise and experience to create buildings and spaces that are not only beautiful and functional but also sustainable and socially responsible.

Anand Karekar

Director - Design & Projects, Concept Consilio India Pvt. Ltd. 

Mumbai

Anand Karekar is a co-founder and and chief mentor at Concept Consilio India Pvt Ltd., a well-known architectural services firm based in Mumbai.

Anand has over 25 years of extensive experience as an architect and has worked on corporate interiors, retail, residential and hospitality segments. As the chief mentor at Concept Consilio, Anand oversees every project undertaken at the company by providing integral insights on the overall design.

Anand's creative imagination, eye for detail, ability to conceptualize, visualize and offer practical solutions suitably equips him for the role that he handles. His wide ranging skills are a valuable asset to the organization and greatly contribute to the firm's standing in the architecture and design community in India.

Aruna R 

Studio Head, Space Matrix
Bangalore

Aruna heads Space Matrix's studio in Bangalore.

As a business leader, architect and interior design professional for over 20 years, Aruna has worked on projects ranging from large scale architecture and interior design projects to boutique, retail and food & beverage industries. For the last 12 years, Aruna's focus has been on corporate and commercial interior design.

With over 500 professionals globally, Space Matrix has built relevant project experience in over 80 cities and 15 office locations in Australia, China, India, Thailand, Singapore (HQ), and the United States. Teamwork, Integrity, and Excellence guide the selection of its clients, business relationships, recruitment and service delivery.

Space Matrix consistently ranks in Interior Design Magazine's Top 100 Design Giants and has won multiple International Property Awards.

Ashish Puri

National Director- Interior Design Services, Colliers India
Bangalore

As Director of Interior Design Services, Ashish leads the Colliers India ID portfolio and is instrumental in building a vibrant and creative Interior Design team at Colliers International India.

Ashish is responsible to enhance the design and delivery capabilities of the team, strengthen growth and facilitate meaningful client relationships. Ashish is an accomplished Architect with over two decades of experience in designing and building workplaces, retail spaces, institutional, mixed use and hospitality projects.

Ashish has extensively worked on diverse portfolios and delivered world class spaces all across India and abroad. With keen interest in workplace strategy, Ashish is an advocate for high-performance creative office spaces and sustainable designs.

Ashish is a graduate in Architecture from RVCE, Bangalore.

Rachita Khanna

Associate Director - Design, SWBI ARCHITECTS
New Delhi

As the Design Director at SWBI ARCHITECTS, Rachita Khanna is responsible for the design trajectory of the company's projects.

As part of the robust team of six dedicated directors and over 75 design professionals at SWBI, Rachita is committed to deliver high quality and cost-effective projects to clients.

Rachita is a Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch) from the prestigious School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi (SPA), and has built years of demonstrated expertise in AutoCAD, SketchUp, Mixed-use, Revit, and Comprehensive Planning.

View all judges from each Best of Region panel around the globe!

These judges will be looking through the Design Optimist lens at spaces that represent the best of design from their region, along with those that consider our four People Together Planet Forever ambitions - Material Health, Circular Economy, Carbon Impact and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.

 

Best of Asia

WATG and Wimberly Interiors
Creative Director
Singapore

 Sennex Consultants
Director – Principal
Singapore

 MEC Design International
Design Director
Japan

 Steven Leach
Studio Director
Malaysia

 Orbit Design Studio
Head of Design
Thailand

Best of Australia & New Zealand

Wardle
Associate Principal
Melbourne, Australia

Cox Architecture
Associate Director
Sydney, Australia

M Moser Associates
Director - Head of Australia
Melbourne, Australia

Mostra Design
Design Director
Christchurch, New Zealand

Best Of Canada

iN Studio
Partner
Toronto

HOK
Interior Designer
Toronto

Kasian
Interior Designer
Toronto

B+H Architects 
Principal, Interior Design
Toronto

BGIS
Director Programs BGIS Direct Interiors
Toronto

Best of Greater China

  CCD
Exective Vice President
Shenzhen, China

  ArchitectureFARM
Design Director & Partner
Shanghai, China

  Virtuarch
Interior Design Department Director
Shanghai, China

Best of Latin America

  USOarquitectura
Partner / Director
CDMX, Mexico

  LP+A arquitetura
Principal, Creative Director
São Paulo, Brazil

  Marriott International
Interior Design Manager CALA Region
Lima, Peru

  MUSSA ARQUITECTOS
SOCIA FUNDADORA
Santiago, Chile

  Gensler LATAM
Design Director
San Jose, Costa Rica

Best of Middle East & Africa

  Swiss Bureau Interior Design Company Dubai
Design Director
Dubai

  Gulf Consult Kuwait
Senior Interior Designer
Kuwait

KOC University
Architect
Istanbul

Best of UK & Continental Europe 

Colliers
Senior Architect
Czech Republic

Michael Laird Architects
Director Interior Design
Scotland

DDock
Senior Interior Designer
Netherlands

Habitaction
Lead Creative
United Kingdom